Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 12887 — Whitehall, NY

ZIP code 12887 (Whitehall, Washington County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 12.

Where ZIP 12887 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F

Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C

Last frostApr 30

First frostOct 12

2012 zone5a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Whitehall, NY…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Whitehall, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Sep 28

Growing season164 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 19 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Whitehall, NY — 2 miles away, elevation 118 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 12887

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28

BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 17 – Aug 31

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 28 – Nov 2

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 12) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 12887 came on Apr 10 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14).

average
Apr 142026
Apr 10

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 5a in New York

584 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New York, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Whitehall, NY.

Soil in Whitehall, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 12887 is Farmington — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Farmington-Rock outcrop association, steep and very steep.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 12887; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Whitehall, NY

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low12 °Faverage low, January

Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights143nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,765base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 26 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 56 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation42.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Whitehall, NY (2 mi away); precipitation: Whitehall, NY (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

128545a

North Granville, NY · 6 mi

Middle Granville, NY · 7 mi

128415a

Huletts Landing, NY · 8 mi

057415a

East Poultney, VT · 8 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 12887

What planting zone is ZIP code 12887?

ZIP code 12887 (Whitehall, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Whitehall, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 12887 is April 30; after May 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Whitehall station.

When is the first frost in Whitehall, NY?

The median first fall frost near 12887 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 164 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 12887?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 12887 get?

About 42.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Whitehall station).

How hot do summers get in Whitehall, NY?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 12 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 12887 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Farmington at the center of ZIP 12887: loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Whitehall, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 12887 came on Apr 10 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Whitehall, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 12887 is 15 h 26 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).